Prepositions referring to place
The prepositions in (in, to, at), a (to, at, in), da (from), per (for) and di (of) can be used to indicate a place, direction or origin.
We use in (in, to, at) to indicate a location or direction:
- in + article (in some cases) + country/region.
Carlo abita in Lombardia e Mario nel Lazio. (nel = in + il)
Carlo lives in Lombardy and Mario in Lazio.
- in + article (in some cases) + a familiar place (generally a feminine singular noun)
Chiara va in banca.
Chiara is going to the bank.
A (to, in, at):
- a (meaning “to” or “at”) with nouns like casa (home) or scuola (school), or the name of a city, to indicate movement towards or presence in a place.
Anna e Magda sono a casa.
Anna and Magda are at home.
Ruggero e Ciro vanno a Milano.
Ruggero and Ciro are going to Milan.
- a (meaning “to” or “at”) + a definite article + a familiar place (generally a masculine singular noun) or institution to indicate movement towards or presence in a place.
Gli spettatori vanno al cinema.
The viewers are going to the movie theater.
Si sono sposati al comune.
They got married at city hall.
Da (from, at someone's place):
- We use da (+ article) + the name of a person (masculine or feminine) who works in a specific place, used to represent the name of the place itself, to indicate direction towards or presence in that place.
Sono dal medico. (dal = da + il)
I am at the doctor's.
- We use da (from) + article (in some cases) + city/country or place, to indicate origin.
Magda viene da Firenze.
Magda comes from Florence.
We use per (for) specifically with the verb partire (to leave), to indicate direction:
Anna parte per Roma.
Anna is leaving for Rome.
Di (from): we use essere + di + city to talk about where someone is from:
Anna è di Milano.
Anna is from Milan.
Note: although we normally use a with masculine familiar places, here are some exceptions that use in instead: in hotel (to/in the hotel), in ufficio (to/in the office), in aeroporto (to/in the airport), in centro (to/in the city center), etc.
Sono in ufficio.
I am in the office.
Still facing difficulties with 'Prepositions referring to place'? Enhance your grammar and learn Italian through our online Italian lessons.
Start with a free test and improve today!
What our users say:
Improve your Italian further and test Saga Baldoria, online Italian course.
